Tom Hanks is perhaps Hollywood’s most beloved actor. In a world filled with antiheroes and badass jerks, he made a name for himself playing the ultimate good guys: squeaky clean, kind, and wholesome. That in itself can get boring real fast, but Hanks never goes out of style thanks to his acting gravitas, the versatility of his roles, and his effortless ability to connect with audiences emotionally. Below is Tom Hanks' 7 Greatest Movies Ranked
7. The Terminal (2004)
In Steven Spielberg’s dramedy, Hanks plays Viktor Navorski, a citizen of a fictional Eastern European nation who finds out his home country has collapsed upon landing at JFK, leaving him stateless and stuck in the terminal. With nowhere to legally enter or exit, he makes a life for himself inside the airport. Over time, he develops friendships, finds purpose, and patiently waits for a chance to fulfill a promise to his father.
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The combo of Spielberg’s schmaltz and Hanks’ affability works like magic in this fish-out-of-water tale. Hanks once again imbues his pure soul character with a touch of vulnerability that lends some layers to his central performance. It’s also an amusing look at how airports really are small neighborhoods of their own; humanizing a place that had become intimidating in a post 9/11 world.
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Tom Hanks' 7 Greatest Movies Ranked
During WWII, Captain Miller is tasked with finding and bringing home Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), whose brothers have all been killed in action. Leading a small squad through war-torn France, he faces brutal combat and personal doubts.
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The Normandy landing scene is the stuff of legend, a full-scale, no-holds-barred reenactment of war horror that inspires future films like Hacksaw Ridge and All Quiet on the Western Front. But in the glow of that iconic scene, people often forget the affecting tale of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice at its center. Loaded with multiple standout performances and featuring John Williams’ affecting score, Saving Private Ryan is patriotism personified in the best way. Until this day, people still talk about it losing Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love like it’s personal.
5. Toy Story 3 (2010)
Pixar at its best!
When Andy heads off to college, Woody, Buzz, and the other toys accidentally end up at a daycare that’s more like a prison. Woody tries to lead a daring escape to reunite them with Andy, but a traitorous toy threatens to derail their attempt. Along the way, they confront change, loyalty, and the reality of moving on.
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Tom Hanks' 7 Greatest Movies Ranked
It’s rare for a trilogy to surpass its predecessors, but Toy Story 3 took everything that was good about the franchise and tripled its impact by making this essentially a coming-of-age dramedy about letting go. And Pixar did all that without losing sight of the entertaining parts that kids can still enjoy. Also, this might have been Hanks’ third go around voicing the cowboy toy, but his commanding baritone as Woody has never been better utilized.
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4. Apollo 13 (1995)
Ron Howard’s harrowing space survival epic dramatizes the true story of Apollo 13. What begins as a routine space mission turns into emergency when an explosion cripples the spacecraft. Commander Jim Lovell (Hanks) and his crew must improvise with limited resources to stay alive and return to Earth. On the ground, NASA scrambles to bring them home before time runs out.
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“Houston, we have a problem.” With those 5 words, an action-packed, iconic rescue mission begins. Led by Hanks, whose gravita lifts the entire endeavor as usual, the film is a grand epic about perseverance in the most dire time. One of, if not the best, works in Howard’s impressive filmography.
3. Big (1988)
12-year-old Josh Baskin makes a wish to be “big” and wakes up in the body of a 30-year-old man. As he navigates adult life—landing a job, falling for a coworker, and living in his own apartment—he begins to miss the simplicity of being a kid. Eventually, he learns growing up isn't all it’s cracked up to be.
Tom Hanks' 7 Greatest Movies Ranked
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Playing a kid trapped in an adult’s body, this is Tom Hanks at his most Tom Hanks: winsome, playful, and adorable (and he’s got an Oscar nom for it). The film put him on the map and solidified his “nice guy” persona. It helps that the heart and soul of the Penny Marshall comedy is its wonderful exploration of the inner child in all of us.
2. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
A young boy living in Seattle tries to find a new love for his widowed father, Sam (Hanks), via a radio show. The broadcast catches the attention of a journalist, Annie (Meg Ryan), who lives in Baltimore. Through correspondence, an unlikely romance thousands of miles apart begins.
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One of the great romcom classics, this Nora Ephron film birthed some of the most romantic tropes ever put on cinema and featured the iconic tandem of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. And the lovebirds do not meet face to face for most of the movie! Ephron gave a masterclass in showing that romance is never about the physical intimacy only; it’s the emotional engagement that matters most, something that so many modern romcoms often miss.
1. Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump - 25th Anniversary Key Art
In arguably his most iconic role to date, Hanks played Forrest Gump, a man with a low IQ but a big heart who unintentionally gets involved in some of the most iconic moments in American history. In a series of flashbacks, we see how Forrest inadvertently inspires Elvis Presley, becomes a Vietnam war hero, and starts a ping pong diplomacy, among others. All big feats, though the only one he ever truly chases, always elude him: Jenny, his childhood love.
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Heartwarming - if cloyingly sentimental, according to some - no one can deny Forrest Gump sparks big emotions. This film won the Best Picture and gave Hanks his first acting Oscar. It’s also one of the (increasingly) rare Best Picture winners that remains memorable after it won.
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Narrowing down Tom Hanks’ illustrious career into 7 films is no easy feat. We’re bound to miss something! If you think so, sound off on your pick for best Tom Hanks movie in the comments below!
